Hen and Chickens Reef shipwreck will be mapped thanks to Diving With A Purpose

Archaeological advocates dive into Florida Keys history June 12-18 when Diving With A Purpose (DWP) joins the sanctuary’s maritime heritage team to map a shipwreck known as the Brick Barge. Located in 20 foot-deep water in the Hen and Chickens Sanctuary Preservation Area off Plantation Key, the shipwreck is believed to be a vessel that sank in 1949 while carrying bricks for homebuilding in Key West. However, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary archaeologist Matthew Lawrence says there are aspects of the wreck that do not resemble a traditional barge.

The sanctuary team will learn more with the help of approximately 25 divers from the non-profit DWP, whose mission is to provide training, education and archaeological fieldwork support for submerged heritage preservation and conservation projects, with a particular focus on the African Diaspora.  DWP has partnered with the sanctuary for over a decade to train divers and document Florida Keys heritage. Half of the DWP visiting divers will be trainees, learning underwater archaeology techniques through the hands-on experience of documenting the Brick Barge. Their underwater drawings and measurements will become a shipwreck map that will be made available to the public and hopefully shed light on its true origins.

The sanctuary asks visitors to Hen and Chickens Reef to not disturb mapping equipment or temporary buoys marked with “Research” they may find at the reef.

WHAT:           Exploration of an upper Keys shipwreck

WHEN:           June 12-18

WHERE:        Hen and Chickens Sanctuary Preservation Area

WHO:             Diving with a Purpose and FKNMS

For more information, contact Matthew Lawrence, [email protected].

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